‘I AM NOT A DOG ON A CHAIN’ ALBUM REVIEW
7.5/10
Morrissey is an ever hardening figure who continues to entertain, frustrate and confuse. His persona has gone from awkward flower twirling humane rebel to a man who constantly finds himself being attacked in the printed or online media a for his seemingly stubborn right-wing affiliations. There was a time when Morrissey was never off the music papers front covers all eager for a few precious words from their Messiah of sales. Those weekly’s have all but disappeared so now he is derided and shouted at in capitals from behind a million “offended” computer screens. His calling out of the meat industry’s continual mass slaughter and barbarism some thirty-five years ago and those views still hold true. No other high profile “Pop personality” did more to promote both vegetarian and veganism while highlighting animal cruelty in all its forms. His early look is still as fashionable as any of the MOD, football casual or the geek hipster subcultures. One question remains, in 2020 is there still a place for the misquoted, misunderstood and provocatively outspoken entertainer once lovingly referred to as Steven Patrick?
His latest ‘I Am Not A Dog On A Chain’ album opens with the Pong video game electronic riff on ‘Jim Jim Falls’ but it’s the lyrics and their delivery that raises those deep furled eyebrows. The final ‘If you’re going to kill yourself, then for God’s sake just kill yourself” spirit rasing chorus is both beautifully twisted and poetic. I’m equally hooked and intrigued as the ‘Love Is On It’s Way Out’ single drifts over the garden fence of human decency dropping not bombs but some very depressing 2020 realities while the steady pace of ‘Bobby Don’t You Think They Know’ is supported by some well-placed raspy female vocals. Title track ‘I Am Not A Dog On A Chain’ follows the album’s subtle flow as Morrissey’s words and voice are proudly pitched front and centre. A toe-tapping Bragg-Esque ‘What Kind Of People Live In These Houses’ is interspersed with some Country guitar and acerbic wordplay before a forgettable ‘Knockabout World’. The albums overall musical texture takes more than one listen to comprehend but it’s definitely worth the aural investment. The arcade feel continues on ‘Darling, I Hug a Pillow’ and it’s partnered with a Pet Shop Boys backbeat on the emotive ‘Once I Saw The River Clean’. The silent film soundtrack ‘The Truth About Ruth’ meanders before an autobiographical ‘The Secret Of Music’ sees Morrissey sing in a higher note than usual but it still doesn’t save the track. Final cut ‘My Hurling Days Are Over’ calls time on ‘I’m Not A Dog On A Chain’ as it cascades on to the dusty, well-trodden theatre boards. Morrissey is a very British enigma once hounded in the press for his love of animals, secret sexuality and not bowing down or playing ball. I found a strange solace in ‘I Am Not A Dog On A Chain’ and as the British lockdown starts in earnest I’m almost happy to be stuck indoors with Mozzer, strange days here we come.
